Missed Monteggia fractures in children treated by open reduction of the radial head and corrective osteotomy of the ulna

Missed Monteggia fractures in children may cause pain, deformity, decreased range of motion, neurological symptoms, and late arthritis of the elbow. Numerous surgical techniques have been advocated to reconstruct missed Monteggia lesions. The purpose of the present study were first to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes after open reduction of the radial head and corrective osteotomy of the ulna, second to identify the factors associated with the preoperative radial notch/head appearance and the postoperative radiographic results. This study investigated the preoperative MRI presentation and the treatment of 29 patients who were diagnosed missed Monteggia fracture. Radiologic and clinical results of these patients were evaluated retrospectively, and the patient’s and surgical factors related to preoperative radial notch/head appearance and the postoperative radiographic results were analyzed. Of the 29 patients, the average Kim elbow performance score at the last follow-up was 93.6, with 25 excellent, three good, one fair, and no poor results. 19 children had reduced radial heads, 8 had a subluxated radial head and 2 had dislocated radial heads at the last follow-up. The patient’s gender and age had no significant influence on the appearance of radial notch/head and final radiographic results. However, the appearance of radial notch/head can significantly affect the final radiographic result (P < 0.001). The interval time was an important factor which related with the appearance of radial notch/head and final radiographic results (P < 0.001). Treating a missed Monteggia fracture by open reduction of the radial head and corrective osteotomy of the ulna is generally successful and preoperative MRI is meaningful for evaluation of the condition of the radial head and the radial notch which is related with the final radiographic result. The interval time from injury to operation exceeds 6 months, the risk of radial notch/head abnormality and radial head subluxation/re-dislocation after operation significantly increase.